EU

SEMI Europe's ongoing collaboration with key European industry players and governmental authorities on legislation such as the European Chips Act and critical topics including workforce diversity, sustainability, and supply chain resilience are crucial to the region’s future technological strength.

On April 21, 2021, the European Commission put forward the long-awaited Proposal for a Regulation on a European approach for Artificial Intelligence, introducing for the first time harmonized rules for the development, placement and use of secure and ethical artificial intelligence (AI) in Europe.

In order to achieve the European Green Deal’s zero pollution ambition for a toxic-free environment, the European Commission announced its intention to restrict the use of the most harmful chemicals, except in cases where they are deemed essential for society.

METIS identifies 4 focus areas for workforce development: True capability of AI and Data Science, Ethics, Cross-disciplinary Skills required for AI, and Climate Change, Sustainable Development Goals, and Social Inclusion Training.

​Europe is facing an acute shortage of skilled microelectronics workers that undermines the growth potential of both the electronics industry and European economy as a whole. The shortfall looms large- a skilled and diverse workforce that can continuously innovate is the oxygen of microelectronics. 

On 21/9, SEMI and a coalition of 40 industry organisations sent a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen calling for decisive action to solve implementation issues within the European Union Waste Framework Directive, specifically the Substances of Concern in Products database.

Technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, digital twins and big data analytics have become essential in sustaining innovation and production capabilities for numerous European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)

In February 2020, the European Commission published its initial proposal – White Paper on Artificial Intelligence: a European approach to excellence and trust – and opened a stakeholder consultation. In June, SEMI Europe, based on member feedback, made key policy recommendations in response.

As many governments around the world are currently taking steps to return to business, it is becoming crucial for the EU and Member States to harmonize policies related to cross-border travel for essential workers within and beyond Europe.

SEMI spoke with Valentina Terzieva, Manager EU funded projects at imec, about the vital importance of the consortium in spurring Industry 4.0 advances. imec leads the MADEin4 Requirements, Samples and Industry 4.0 pilot line infrastructure work package.